Taiwan has refuted China’s accusations that a Taiwan-backed hacking group, Anonymous 64, is responsible for a series of cyberattacks targeting Chinese entities. China’s national security ministry made these claims on Monday, alleging that the Taiwanese military orchestrated the intrusions to disseminate “anti-propaganda” content within China.
In response, Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo asserted that it is actually China, not Taiwan, that leads in global cyberattacks, frequently targeting Taiwan and other democratic nations. Koo dismissed China’s allegations as baseless, emphasizing that Taiwan’s military remains resolute in its defense of the nation.
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This incident marks a notable instance of China publicly accusing Taiwan of hacking activities. Historically, Taiwan has been viewed by China as part of its territory, and tensions have escalated in the region amid ongoing disputes.
According to the Chinese ministry, Anonymous 64 is linked to Taiwan’s military cyber warfare unit and has been behind attacks on Chinese websites, outdoor screens, and television networks. The ministry claimed that the group aimed to broadcast critical content about China’s political system, including videos that liken President Xi Jinping to an emperor. They also urged citizens to report any anti-China cyber activities.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry dismissed these allegations, accusing China of being the primary aggressor in cyber warfare. The ministry’s Information, Communications, and Electronic Force Command stated that the Chinese military continues to harass Taiwan with cyberattacks.
Anonymous 64 has claimed responsibility for certain actions, with some members appearing in videos wearing the Guy Fawkes mask, a symbol of the international hacking group Anonymous, denouncing Chinese leadership.
Taiwan’s Premier, Cho Jung-tai, accused China of spreading disinformation to undermine Taiwan’s reputation, calling for a strong response to counter Beijing’s narrative and highlight the truth about the ongoing tensions.
